Peer critique, a specialized form of critique, is the common practice of writers reviewing and providing constructive criticism of each other's work. Most fiction writers use some form of peer critique as part of their process of writing.
In action
In the classroom
Peer critique has long been used as part of the process of teaching writing. In traditional classrooms power and authority can often be teacher-centric, with teachers correcting work to their own vision of ideal writing. Many researchers have found that peer critique offers a complementary style of feedback Whereas teachers' feedback often focuses on general comments and error correction, peers tend to give specific, deep comments on the work before them rather than correcting to an ideal. In his groundbreaking 1973 book Writing without Teachers, Peter Elbow stated a powerful argument for peer-only writing classes, eliminating the teacher from the process entirely. Many informal writing groups still use Elbow's methods for peer critique. Peer critique has also been found to be useful to those who provide critiques, helping students to develop analytical and critical thinkingabilities and become better able to judge their own writing.
Outside the classroom
Peer writing groups have existed probably as long as writing has. Anne Ruggles Gere has written several useful articles and books about the history of writing groups, and how they have evolved over time from social "clubs" and chautauquas to the many types of groups we have today, including online peer critique sites.
Online
Anonymity adds an extra dimension to peer critique. If unstructured, anonymous reviews can result in a negative culture spiral and has led to the withdrawal of certain online critique websites. However, if structured, online reviews can provide rapid, valuable independent feedback to writers. Some critique websites use data science to remove bias from structured review data. These sites use a simple form of artificial intelligence to identify which submissions readers are finding the most appealing.
Methods
Face-to-face critiques
The most traditional form of peer critique, both inside and outside the classroom, is face-to-face. In this method, writers gather together in person and discuss each other's work in detail. Face-to-face writing groups can be a source of great support and encouragement for writers in what is sometimes a lonely endeavor. The greatest challenge for informal groups is keeping a face-to-face critique group together; many fall apart quickly due to lack of commitment, personality conflicts, or hurt feelings.
Online writing classes
In recent years with the advent of the Blackboard Learning System and similar online teaching tools, it has become possible to take writing courses entirely online. In online courses students generally give each other feedback on writing in message-board style posts. Comments are usually brief. Teachers must beware of the "pile-on effect" of students merely echoing what teachers and previous commenters have mentioned; it will be useful for teachers to apply lessons from peer critique websites, which have functioned online for many years.
Online critique sites
Since at least 1985, with the , writers have formed writing spaces online where they can discuss writing, share resources, and critique work. There are many active critique sites now, catering to all levels and genres of writers; the popular website Reddit has a sub-reddit dedicated to writing critique, titled , while another popular forum, , is dedicated to writing and online critique. Other peer critique sites include Youwriteon and .
Types of critique sites
Online peer critique sites tend to vary by:
Charge: Some sites are free, some require membership, and some charge only for premium services
Privacy: Sites vary on whether they are open to public view, require a password, or require approval by moderators to join
Structure: Some sites require reviewers to give their feedback through a professionally designed framework
Commitment: Nearly all sites generally require some time or activity commitment, but sites vary significantly on how much is required to receive critiques
Moderation: Some sites are only lightly moderated, and some heavily; a few sites even have editors on staff who judge critiques
Level of expertise: Some sites cater to beginners, while others have many advanced and published authors on their rosters
Style: Many sites use general message-board formats, though some use e-mail loops for actual work
